Public bars now allowed at Westfield restaurants with conditional liquor permits

WESTFIELD — Before the rules were changed earlier this week, restaurants in Westfield that have what's called a conditional liquor license were not allowed to have a public bar on premises.

Now bars in those restaurants are permitted, so patrons can have a place to drink while waiting for a table. Prior to the rule change, customers had to be seated at a table before being served an alcoholic beverage.

The Westfield Town Council at its June 3 meeting approved this and several other changes to the Town Code that governs the sale and service of alcoholic beverages.

Councilwoman Vicki Kimmins was the only Council member to vote against the changes. Councilman Keith Loughlin was not present at the meeting.

Prior to the Council vote, about an equal number of audience members spoke in favor and against the code amendments in General Ordinance No. 2017.

Since Westfield permits a maximum number of five restaurant conditional liquor licenses, only the five eateries in town that currently have such licenses are affected by the changes. Those restaurants are Ferraro’s of Westfield, Sweet Waters Steak House, Fujiyama Mama and Akai Japanese Sushi Lounge.

The fifth conditional license belongs to a new, yet-unnamed establishment owned by the Harvest Restaurants group, according to Sherry Cronin, executive director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation. Harvest operates Roots Steakhouse in Summit, Trap Rock Restaurant & Brewery in Berkeley Heights, among others in New Jersey.

Under the rules of a conditional license, these restaurants still must ensure that the sale of alcoholic beverages constitutes no more than 50% of gross receipts.